The Met Office has issued a new 24-hour weather warning for snow and ice, forecasting significant disruption for parts of Scotland on Wednesday, 7 January 2026. The yellow warning is active from midnight until 11.59pm, with a risk of power cuts and transport chaos.
Widespread Disruption Expected
The national forecaster has warned that the impending snowstorm is likely to cause considerable problems. Possible travel delays on roads are expected, with a risk of vehicles and passengers becoming stranded. Rail and air travel could also face delays or cancellations. There is a concern that some rural communities, particularly in the affected regions, could become cut off entirely.
Beyond transport, other essential services are under threat. The Met Office alert states that power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, could be affected. The public is also warned about a heightened chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces, with untreated pavements and cycle paths potentially becoming impassable.
Forecast Details and Accumulation Risks
An area of snow is predicted to linger across northern Scotland throughout Wednesday, gradually spreading down the east coast as the day progresses. While precipitation may fall as rain or sleet at lower elevations, especially near coasts, it is likely to land on frozen surfaces. This creates the potential for widespread icy conditions to develop and persist.
The most significant concern is the potential snow depth, with forecasts suggesting accumulations of 5-10cm are likely fairly widely over higher ground above 100 metres. More worryingly, there is a chance that some areas above 200 metres could see a further 20cm of snow. Strong winds accompanying the snowfall could lead to drifting or blowing snow, exacerbating conditions. While accumulations will be lower over lower elevations, coastal areas, and over Orkney and Harris, ice is expected to remain a major hazard into Wednesday morning and again overnight as any thaw refreezes.
Areas Under the Warning
The Met Office yellow weather warning for snow covers the following regions and local authorities:
- Central, Tayside and Fife: Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross.
- The Grampian: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray.
- Highlands and Eilean Siar: Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), Highland.
- Orkney and the Shetland Islands: Orkney Islands.
The broader outlook from the Met Office for the week remains "very cold with rain, sleet and snow," indicating that the severe conditions may not be short-lived. Residents in the affected areas are advised to prepare for disruption, check travel updates, and take necessary precautions on icy surfaces.
